A fuse board is the control centre for your homes electrics and plays a vital role in your electrical safety.
A fuse board, also known as a consumer unit, protects you from the dangers of electrical fires and shock by switching off a circuit if a fault is detected. Like any other part of your home, it is important to check that your fuse board is functioning correctly and is not in need of replacement. Hawtin Electrical, Oxford have put together this guide to help you decide whether your home is due a fuse board replacement or upgrade.
Why should I replace my fuse board?
The most common reason a fuse board needs to be replaced is its age. An up-to-date fuse board will ensure your electrics are safe and meet current standards for protection. So, how do you tell if your fuse board is showing its age? The easiest way to see if your fuse board is older is to look at the board itself. An older style fuse box will have fuses that have to be manually removed and replaced in the event of a power surge. A newer consumer unit will feature switches that flick off following a surge. An older style fuse board is highly likely to need replacing to keep you and your home safe and to comply with current regulations. If you have an older fuse board then a qualified electrician will be happy to advise you of your options.
Upgrading your fuse board
A more modern fuse board or consumer unit may need a replacement if it is struggling to meet the demands of your household. Your electrical needs can change with any upgrades you have undertaken or have planned for your home. A new extension, electric vehicle charge point or heat pump heating system can all require an increase in the capacity of your fuse board. Each of these would require their own mini circuit breaker within your consumer unit. Your existing board may not have sufficient capacity to accommodate them. Your electrician will discuss your current and potential future needs prior to the replacement of your fuse board. This is to ensure one with the right capacity is selected and to make any additional recommendations based on your answers. They may, for example, recommend a consumer unit that has individual circuit protection - an RCBO, that allows the rest of your property to continue to receive power when one circuit trips. These also make it far easier to identify the origin of a fault and work particularly well in a home with multiple and complex electrical demands.
What happens during the fuse board replacement?
During the fuse board replacement your electrician will perform several tasks. Each designed to keep you and your property safe. They will check your earth bonding and cabling and will upgrade this if necessary for safety. They will identify each individual circuit and assign it to a miniature circuit breaker, creating a clear chart for future use. Your qualified electrician will test the installation to ensure it is compliant with Part P regulations. They will submit notification to your local council building control office and will provide you with a NICEIC Electrical Installation Certificate. After the installation they will ensure you understand how your new consumer unit works.
If you have any further questions about fuse board replacement or would like to arrange to have your fuse board replaced, contact Hawtin Electrical today. We are fully qualified, NICEIC registered electricians and are highly experienced in fuse board replacement and consumer unit upgrades. Based in Oxford we are your local, friendly and professional electrician. Call us today.
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